Pope Francis calls for "peace and concord" in Middle East
- 11 years ago
At St. Peters in the Vatican, an outdoor mass to mark the end of what the church is calling it's 'Year of Faith.'
Church leaders from throughout the Middle East gathered to pray for peace in their region.
SOUNDBITE: (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"With this gesture, through them, I would like to reach all those Christians living in the Holy Land, in Syria and in the entire East, and obtain for them the gift of peace and concord."
The Church chose the occasion to also debut for the first time relics from St. Peter.
A bronze chest displayed near the altar were said to contain the bones of the Apostle --- which were reportedly discovered in the mausoleum beneath the Basilica.
Sunday's mass officially concludes the Year of Faith, which was initiated by Pope Benedict before his resignation in February.
Church leaders from throughout the Middle East gathered to pray for peace in their region.
SOUNDBITE: (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"With this gesture, through them, I would like to reach all those Christians living in the Holy Land, in Syria and in the entire East, and obtain for them the gift of peace and concord."
The Church chose the occasion to also debut for the first time relics from St. Peter.
A bronze chest displayed near the altar were said to contain the bones of the Apostle --- which were reportedly discovered in the mausoleum beneath the Basilica.
Sunday's mass officially concludes the Year of Faith, which was initiated by Pope Benedict before his resignation in February.